From the Guidelines
1 unit of Humalog (insulin lispro) is expected to lower blood glucose levels by approximately 30-50 mg/dL (1.7-2.8 mmol/L) in most individuals, though this effect can vary significantly based on personal factors such as body weight, insulin resistance, and physical activity. The effectiveness of insulin in lowering blood glucose is well-documented, with numerous formulations available, including human insulins and insulin analogs like Humalog, which offer different durations of action 1. It's crucial to understand that the impact of 1 unit of Humalog can vary widely among individuals due to factors such as insulin sensitivity, time of day, and concurrent health conditions. For instance, someone with insulin resistance may experience a smaller reduction in blood glucose levels (e.g., 10-20 mg/dL) compared to a more insulin-sensitive individual who might see a larger drop (e.g., 100 mg/dL) from the same dose 1.
To accurately determine how 1 unit of Humalog affects an individual's blood glucose levels, it's essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to monitor glucose responses to insulin doses over time. This personalized approach allows for the calculation of a correction factor or insulin sensitivity factor, which is vital for managing elevated blood glucose levels and preventing hypoglycemia. Given that Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action within 15-30 minutes, peaking between 30-90 minutes, and lasting for about 3-5 hours, regular monitoring of glucose levels after administration is necessary to adjust doses appropriately and minimize the risk of hypoglycemia. The management of hyperglycemia with insulin, as outlined in consensus reports by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment plans and ongoing monitoring to achieve optimal glycemic control while minimizing adverse effects like hypoglycemia and weight gain 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Insulin Lispro has been shown to be equipotent to human insulin on a molar basis. One unit of Insulin Lispro has the same glucose-lowering effect as one unit of regular human insulin
The effect of 1 unit of Humalog (insulin lispro) on blood glucose levels is that it has the same glucose-lowering effect as 1 unit of regular human insulin.
- Glucose lowering effect: 1 unit of Insulin Lispro is equipotent to 1 unit of regular human insulin.
- Onset and duration: Insulin Lispro has a more rapid onset of action and a shorter duration of activity than regular human insulin when given subcutaneously 2.
From the Research
Effect of Humalog on Blood Glucose Levels
- The effect of 1 unit of Humalog (insulin lispro) on blood glucose levels is not directly stated in the provided studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, a study comparing the pharmacokinetic and glucodynamic parameters of ultra rapid lispro and lispro (Humalog) found that insulin lispro appeared in the serum 2-5 min faster and had 6- to 8-fold greater exposure in the first 15 min compared to regular human insulin 4.
- Another study found that treatment with insulin lispro may be associated with a lower incidence of severe hypoglycaemia, particularly nocturnal episodes, in individuals with type 1 diabetes who have impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia 5.
- A review of the literature on the use of insulin lispro in children, adolescents, and young adults with type 1 diabetes found that multiple daily injection treatment with insulin lispro was associated with reduced postprandial glucose excursions and similar or improved HbA1c levels compared to regular human insulin 7.
Pharmacokinetic and Glucodynamic Parameters
- A study found that insulin lispro had a faster onset of action and greater insulin action in the first 30 min compared to regular human insulin 4.
- The same study found that insulin lispro had a shorter duration of action and reduced exposure beyond 3 hours post-dose compared to regular human insulin 4.
- Another study found that mean blood glucose levels during short-term intensive insulin therapy were associated with long-term glycemic remission in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes 6.
Clinical Implications
- The use of insulin lispro may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia and improving glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes 3, 5.
- Insulin lispro may also be useful in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, allowing for more physiological insulin administration and improved glycemic control 7.
- However, the optimal dose and regimen of insulin lispro for individual patients may vary, and further studies are needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies 4, 6.